e-Book Tools - a Word add-in

[Toxaris]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

@Toxaris - FYI, I bit the bullet! Converted my S&R rule tables to spreadsheets, which IMO is the best approach for reading and maintaining tabular data.

I'll have a script to save those as csv files, convert to xml, and then concatenate the xml 'header', the xml tables and the xml 'footer' to create a new MyReplaceRules.xml. That's the file I input into EPUB-Tools->Settings->S&R->Create temp S/R XML, as per my last screen shot.

This 'approach' has been rattling around in my head for some time.

BR

Have you looked at the internal editor? You can maintain the data there and copy entries between datasets for example. It might make your process simpler. Also, as Word sometimes has issues with special characters in RegEx, you can easily get the codes for special characters that Word understands.

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by Toxaris

Have you looked at the internal editor?

Yes I have looked at and I started out using the built in one.

The downside for me was that I want to edit the rules independently and concurrently with what I'm doing to a given document - including being in the middle of running S&R - i.e. in a separate process. For a while I edited the .DOC file directly in a second instance of Word, but I find editing Word Tables awkward.

So I rejoiced when you moved to the XML approach. It eliminated the Word Tables and allowed me to edit MyRules.xml in my regular text editor (Notepad++) independently of what I was doing in Word. I thought then - if I convert this XML to an XLS (or CSV) then I can use my regular table editor (Excel *) and convert the xls back to xml as and when.

Doing it this way -- loose coupling of what I regard as 'best of breed' tools -- suits me. I don't expect my hammer to saw wood or my fishing rod to shoot foxes, so... But appreciate most folks expect every tool to do everything

I have a couple of guys installing a new roof over the deck - they seem have a dozens of special tools, as well as the standard hammers and chisels etc.

do you happen to know of a Word add-in that extends and persists Word's Find and Replace history. I have tried a couple of tools but they introduce a whole new layer of complexity with missing features - e.g. no Clear Formatting button or Language selection. I'd just a like longer drop down lists with a right click item toggle - Persist/Discard (default).

BR

[Toxaris]

At least you have thought about your process. In your case it would indeed not be a viable solution.

Besides my own add-in I actually do not use others. I can imagine that a longer history could be useful.

[BetterRed]

@Toxaris - I'm responding to this https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...3&postcount=16

That is why I also used that type of interface in my alternative check spelling procedure in my Word add-in. At the moment I do use the Word spelling engine, but that might change later...

Have you changed the spell checker - radically. I recall looking at it when I first installed your add-in, but I don't recall it as having a Sigil spell checker like user interface. However at the time I was mainly interested in conversion but I do recall consciously discounting the spell checker; maybe I was too hasty. Subsequently I removed it from the Ribbon when that feature was introduced.

But that's water under the bridge. Here's what I'd love to have in Word

• add the check boxes and buttons that Sigil has at the bottom of the list along with the Filter box (which I would also put at the bottom);
• implement a word list context menu the same as the one in the calibre editor spell checker
• implement an Undo last change as per the calibre editor spell checker
• do items 1, 3 and 4 in my Spellchecker - enhancements thread.
• offer hunspell dictionaries as a selectable alternative to the MS dictionaries - i.e. I would not want to lose the ability to use the MS dictionaries - I put a lot of value on my MS dictionary exclusion lists.

If you were able and wanted to do all that then I would not need to do any content editing of the EPUB in Sigil (or calibre). I would only use Sigil for layout adjustments and typographical editing - i.e. book making edits.

BR

[Toxaris]

So far I have not radically changed the Spelling procedure from the first time I introduced it.
This is the interface:


What I already have changed (but not released yet) is the option to choose between the Hunspell and the Word spellings engine. For the Word spelling function, the Word spellings engine will always be used. The choice is only for my spelling function.
Another change, made in the latest (1.17.0) release, is the option to have the misspelled words in a monospaced font and set the fontsize. Often this makes it easier to spot OCR errors.

Now, based on your suggestions:
- I suppose I can add the checkbox to do a case-insensitive sort, although this is the default anyway.
- Show all words can be done, but I fail to see the relevance to be honest. Also, counting the occurrences of all words can take quite some time. So, this one will probably not happen as of yet.
- The filterbox looks interesting, I will take a look at it.
- Context menu looks interesting, I will take a look at it. No guarantees of course.
- I am not sure an Undo is possible, depends on Word functionality. I will take a look at it.
- I could make it possible to save the list with misspelled words. I fail to see the relevance, but it is not that complex to do. However, there will not be a button for that. I am thinking of making it part of the context menu.
- Resetting the ignored Words list is not that hard actually. However, to have those words reinstalled to the misspelled words list will be harder. If I can make it work, I will again probably make it part of the context menu. I do not want to clutter the interface.
- The last of your suggestions is a no-can-do. The suggestions come from the Hunspell engine directly.

You do of course understand that this will cause a delay in the release of the new version?

[BetterRed]

Hi Toxaris - just lettng know I'm not ignoring your post, but I need a few days to cogitate.

BR

[Toxaris]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

Hi Toxaris - just lettng know I'm not ignoring your post, but I need a few days to cogitate.

BR

No problem. Just to let you know, I think I have done the work.
You mention you already have custom dictionaries in Word. Well, both Word custom dictionaries and Hunspell custom directories can be used for the Hunspell engine on the fly. For Word this cannot work, a restart is required in that case.
Still some testing to do.

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by Toxaris

No problem. Just to let you know, I think I have done the work.
You mention you already have custom dictionaries in Word. Well, both Word custom dictionaries and Hunspell custom directories can be used for the Hunspell engine on the fly. For Word this cannot work, a restart is required in that case.
Still some testing to do.

I use the stock dictionaries in Word - but I exclude words, see ==>> Create an Exclusion Dictionary

Regarding the hunspell dictionaries - I use these via Sigil/Calibre spell checker as a 'second opinion'. Given that involves -- converting the DOCX to EPUB and opening that in Sigil or Calibre -- having to restart Word to use a hunspell dictionary won't bother me much

Can you display what dictionary is being used somewhere, probably on the right hand side.

And when using a hunspell dictionary is it possible to honour the settings I've highlighted here



Especially the second one. Numeric tables and large indexes can generate thousands (literally) of spurious errors if they're not ignored.

Happy to 'beta' test if you think that would add value.

Cheers BR

[kbaerwald]

When preparing large documents and using Search & Replace I would find it convenient to use keys for the commands as indicated (e.g. (P)ause, (Y)es etc.).

However it does not work for me: I tried the keys alone and together with <shift>, <ctrl> and <alt> but with no success. Nothing happens. I looked into the ePubTools Help but found no hint.

I am using Word 2016 with German keyboard layout. Any idea why this is not working?

Klaus

[Toxaris]

Originally Posted by kbaerwald

When preparing large documents and using Search & Replace I would find it convenient to use keys for the commands as indicated (e.g. (P)ause, (Y)es etc.).

However it does not work for me: I tried the keys alone and together with <shift>, <ctrl> and <alt> but with no success. Nothing happens. I looked into the ePubTools Help but found no hint.

I am using Word 2016 with German keyboard layout. Any idea why this is not working?

Klaus

Using the letter between brackets should work. No control, shift or alt needed. You could use shift (since that would only result in a capital). The keyboard layout should not matter at all, since I am capturing the value of pressed key and that is irrelevant of the layout. The actual key in use is depending on the selected language. So, if the interface is in english, the yes button should work with Y, with the dutch interface the same button would respond to J.
The only reason I can imagine why this would not work, is if the form does not have the focus at the moment. Try clicking the form to ensure it has focus/is active and then press a key.

[Toxaris]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

I use the stock dictionaries in Word - but I exclude words, see ==>> Create an Exclusion Dictionary

Regarding the hunspell dictionaries - I use these via Sigil/Calibre spell checker as a 'second opinion'. Given that involves -- converting the DOCX to EPUB and opening that in Sigil or Calibre -- having to restart Word to use a hunspell dictionary won't bother me much

Can you display what dictionary is being used somewhere, probably on the right hand side.

And when using a hunspell dictionary is it possible to honour the settings I've highlighted here

Attachment 146796

Especially the second one. Numeric tables and large indexes can generate thousands (literally) of spurious errors if they're not ignored.

Happy to 'beta' test if you think that would add value.

Cheers BR

I will read up on exclusion dictionaries and see if I can use them. I assume I can make it work for the Word spelling engine, but I am not sure if I can for the Hunspell engine.
I have made a work-around for using the Hunspell custom dictionaries with the Word engine in my own procedure. However, using these for the standard Word spelling procedure is different. I have made an option in the setting screen to add these to the Custom Dictionaries for Word, but then a restart of Word is required.

Of course when an additional custom dictionary is used, it is displayed which one. You can even switch during operation.

With regards to the settings you mention (talking about giving a finger...). Numbers are ignored by default, also with the Hunspell engine. However, words partially number, partially letters are not ignored and with reason. Often these are the result of OCR errors, one example which occurs often in Dutch is '2o' instead of 'zo'. Therefore I am doubting to make that an option. The same goes for Words in capitals, often these are smallcaps not identified correctly by the OCR process. The internet addresses might be possible, I will look into this. I might incorporate these options, but I am not sure yet.

[kbaerwald]

Hi Toxaris

I am not joking - when moving the mouse over the form I can see the button getting blue. So the form is active and buttons can be clicked: but - no keypress works! Looks like the keyboard is completely disconnected.

Klaus

[Toxaris]

I am not saying you joking, far from it.

Can please answer the following questions:
- What is the language of your Word GUI?
- What is the setting of the UI language (Settings --> General)?

I suspect that the answer to the first question is German and to the second question it is 'Office default', is that correct? If so, could you try to set the UI Language in the settings to English and try again?

[kbaerwald]

Originally Posted by Toxaris

I am not saying you joking, far from it.

Can please answer the following questions:
- What is the language of your Word GUI?
- What is the setting of the UI language (Settings --> General)?

I suspect that the answer to the first question is German and to the second question it is 'Office default', is that correct? If so, could you try to set the UI Language in the settings to English and try again?

Hi Toxaris

What can I say - you are absolutely right: changing the language settings to English and keystrokes are working now! Thank you.

Could you explain the reason?

Klaus

[Toxaris]

Yes, I can explain. I check the UI language to determine the keys to respond to. Since the UI is only in English and Dutch, I only check for those two. Usually this works fine, except when the UI is set to default AND it is not either English or Dutch. If the UI language is set to default and that language is not supported, a fallback to English is default. In this case however, the fallback did not work. I will ensure that this will work in the next release.